Apparatus for heating aerosol generating material and a cartridge for the apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is described a cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating material. The cartridge includes a first body defining a first chamber and aerosol generating material is located within the first chamber. The first body includes a first base including a sheet of heat conductive material and has a first outer surface and at least a major portion of the first outer surface is for contacting a first heating surface of a heater of the apparatus for heating the aerosol generating material within the first chamber.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2017/057630, filed Mar. 30, 2017, which claims priority from GBPatent Application No. 1605357.1, filed Mar. 30, 2016, each of which ishereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus arranged to heat aerosolgenerating material and a cartridge for the apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobaccoduring use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to providealternatives to these smoking articles by creating products that releasecompounds without actually combusting and hence which do not createsmoke or an aerosol as a result of degradation of, for example, tobaccoby combustion or the process of burning. Examples of such products areso-called heat-not-burn products, tobacco heating products or tobaccoheating devices, which release compounds, which may form an aerosol, byheating, but not burning, aerosol generating material. The aerosolgenerating material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobaccoproducts, which may or may not contain nicotine.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provideda cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generatingmaterial to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generatingmaterial, the cartridge comprising: a first body defining a firstchamber, wherein the first body comprises a first base comprising asheet of heat conductive material and having a first outer surface; andaerosol generating material located within the first chamber; andwherein at least a major portion of the first outer surface of the firstbase is adapted to contact a first heating surface of a heater of theapparatus for heating the aerosol generating material within the firstchamber and wherein the first base is substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the first body.

The sheet of heat conductive material may be flexible and may comprisemetal foil. In other example, the sheet of heat conductive material maybe non-flexible.

The first body may comprise a first cover attached to the first base,wherein the first cover and the first base define the first chamber.

The first cover may comprise a plastics or polymide material.

In use, the first body comprises an inlet for enabling air to flow intothe first chamber and an outlet, spaced apart from the inlet, to enableat least one volatilized component of the aerosol generating materialand/or an aerosol to flow out of the first chamber.

The cartridge may further comprise: a second body defining a secondchamber, wherein the second body comprises a second base comprising asheet of heat conductive material having a second outer surface; andaerosol generating material located within the second chamber; andwherein at least a major portion of the second outer surface of thesecond base is adapted to contact a second heating surface of the heaterof the apparatus and wherein the second base is substantially parallelto a longitudinal axis of the second body.

The first base and the second base may be connected together to enablerelative pivotal movement of the first base and the second base so thata user can bring the first outer surface into contact with the firstheating surface of the heater and the second outer surface into contactwith the second heating surface of the heater.

The first base and the second base may be connected along a first lineof weakening to enable the relative pivotal movement.

The first base and the second base may be, in a pre-use configuration,connected at respective sides of the first base and the second base thatare substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

The second body may comprise a second cover attached to the second base,wherein the second cover and the second base define the second chamberand wherein, the first cover and the second cover are, in the pre-useconfiguration, connected along a second line of weakening which ruptureswhen the first base and the second base undergo relative pivotablemovement, whereby the first cover and the second cover are separated toprovide an a volatilized material and/or aerosol outlet for the firstcover and a volatilized material and/or aerosol outlet for the secondcover.

The first base may comprise a first piercer for piercing the second baseto provide an air inlet for the second chamber and the second base maycomprise a second piercer for piercing the first base to provide an airinlet for the first chamber.

The first base and the second base may be, in a pre-use configuration,connected at respective sides of the first base and the second base thatthat are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is alsoprovided apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilizeat least one component of the aerosol generating material, the apparatuscomprising: a housing comprising a heater, the heater comprising atleast a first heating surface, the first heating surface adapted tocontact at least a major portion of a heat conductive base of a firstbody of a cartridge that is insertable into the housing and wherein theheater extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of theapparatus, whereby in use, the heater heats aerosol generating materialin a chamber defined by the first body to volatilize at least onecomponent of the aerosol generating material.

The heater may comprise a heating plate that comprises the first heatingsurface.

The first heating surface may be convex.

The apparatus may further comprise a mouthpiece having a mouthpieceoutlet and wherein the housing comprises at least one air inlet, whereinin use, when a user draws on the outlet of the mouthpiece, air flowsthrough the at least one air inlet of the housing and through an inletof the first body and a mixture of air and at least one volatilizedcomponent of the aerosol generating material and/or aerosol flows out ofan outlet of the first body.

The apparatus may comprise a first piercer for piercing the first bodywhen the cartridge is inserted in the apparatus to provide one of theinlet of the first body and the outlet of the first body.

The apparatus may comprise a second piercer for piercing the first bodywhen the cartridge is inserted in the apparatus to provide the other ofthe inlet of the first body and the outlet of the first body.

The apparatus may comprise a second piercer for piercing the first bodywhen the cartridge is inserted in the apparatus to provide the other ofthe inlet of the first body and the outlet of the first body.

The heater may comprise a second heating surface, the second heatingsurface for contacting at least a major portion of the heat conductivebase of a second body of the cartridge that is insertable into thehousing, whereby in use, the heater heats aerosol generating material ina chamber defined by the second body to volatilize at least onecomponent of the aerosol generating material.

The heater may be a heater plate that defines the first heating surfaceand a second heating surface, wherein the first and second heatingsurfaces are opposite surfaces of the heater plate, and wherein thesecond heating surface is for contacting at least a major portion of asecond heat conductive base of a second body of the cartridge that isinsertable into the housing, whereby in use, the heater heats aerosolgenerating material in a chamber defined by the first body and a chamberdefined by the second body to volatilize at least one component of theaerosol generating material in the chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a first example of an apparatusfor heating an aerosol generating material.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a lidsection in an open position.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with thelid section in an open position and a first example of a cartridge beinginserted into the apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows an expanded schematic perspective view of a part of theapparatus of FIG. 1 with the first example of a cartridge being insertedinto the apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a further schematic perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 1with the lid section in an open position.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the first example of thecartridge.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of a second example of an apparatusfor heating an aerosol generating material.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 7 with alid section in an open position and a second example of a cartridgebeing inserted into the apparatus.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIG. 7 with thelid section in the open position and the second example of a cartridgeinserted into the apparatus.

FIGS. 10a to 10d show the second example of a cartridge.

FIG. 11a shows a heater support section of a second example of anapparatus for heating an aerosol generating material.

FIG. 11b shows a lid section of a second example of an apparatus forheating an aerosol generating material.

FIG. 12 shows a cross section through the heater support section and lidsection of the second example of an apparatus when the second example ofa cartridge is inserted in the second example of an apparatus.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic cut away plan view of a part of the secondexample of an apparatus when the lid section is in the open position.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic cut away plan view of a part of the secondexample of an apparatus when the lid section is in the closed position.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic side view of a third example of an apparatusfor heating an aerosol generating material.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic perspective view of the third example of anapparatus for heating an aerosol generating material.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic perspective view of the third example of anapparatus for heating an aerosol generating material with a thirdexample of a cartridge being inserted into the apparatus.

FIGS. 18a to 18c show the third example of a cartridge.

FIG. 19a shows a schematic perspective view of a heater support sectionof the third example of an apparatus for heating an aerosol generatingmaterial.

FIG. 19b shows a schematic perspective view of a lid section and amouthpiece section of the third example of an apparatus for heating anaerosol generating material.

FIGS. 20A and 20B shows a schematic plan and perspective view of thefirst example of a first inner layer with a rough first surface forreceiving an aerosol generating gel.

FIG. 20C shows a schematic perspective view of a first example ofarticle for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating gel tovolatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating gel.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic perspective view of a support layer of thearticle with score lines.

FIG. 22 shows a schematic perspective view of a second example of anarticle for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating agentto volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating material” includesmaterials that provide volatilized components upon heating. “Aerosolgenerating material” includes any tobacco-containing material and may,for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivativesincluding tobacco extracts, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco ortobacco substitutes. “Aerosol generating material” also may includeother, non-tobacco, products, including for example flavorants, which,depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine, fillermaterials such as chalk and/or sorbent materials, glycerol, propyleneglycol or triacetin. The aerosol generating material may also include abinding material, for example, sodium alginate.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, there is shown a first example of anapparatus 1 and a cartridge 100 that is insertable within the apparatus1. The apparatus 1 is arranged to heat aerosol generating material (notshown) contained within the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 isinserted inside the apparatus 1 to volatilize at least one component ofthe aerosol generating material.

The apparatus 1 is a so-called “tobacco-heating-product” apparatus. Theapparatus 1 in this example is generally elongate and comprises agenerally tubular housing 3. The tubular housing 3 comprises a mainhousing section 5, a heater support section 7, a lid section 9 and amouth piece 11 comprising an outlet 11 a.

These sections of the apparatus 1 may comprise any suitable material ormaterials, for example, plastic or metal or combinations thereof. Themouthpiece 11 (or at least the tip of the mouthpiece 11) may comprise amaterial that feels comfortable to the lips, for example, suitableplastics or silicone rubber based materials.

The main housing section 5 comprises first 5 a and second 5 blongitudinal ends. The first end 5 a defines a distal end of the wholeof the apparatus 1 and the second end 5 b is located at approximatelyjust over half of the way along the length of the apparatus 1.

The heater support section 7 extends from the second 5 b longitudinalend of the main housing section 5 and defines a platform 7 a (mostclearly seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) that supports a heater 13. The heatersupport section 7 may, as is the case in this example, comprise aplurality 7 b, 7 c of interconnected sections, one of which 7 b isconnected to the main housing section 5, or the heater support section 7may be a single-piece section.

The heater support section 7 and the lid section 9 are connected by ahinge arrangement 15 (best seen in FIG. 4) that is arranged to enablethe lid section 9 to pivot with respect to the heater support section 7,about the hinge arrangement 15, between a closed position shown in FIG.1 and an open position shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. The lid section 9 may, asis the case in this example, comprise a plurality 9 d, 9 e ofinterconnected sections, one of which 9 e is connected to the mouthpiece11, or the lid section 9 may be a single piece section.

The hinge arrangement 15 is arranged along an edge portion 7 d of theheater support section 7 and is aligned transverse to a longitudinalaxis of the apparatus 1. When the lid section 9 is in the open position,the lid section 9 defines an open channel 8 (see FIG. 3) into which acartridge 100 can be inserted or from which it can be removed from by auser. When the lid section 9 is in the closed position, a cartridge 100inserted into the channel 8 is held within the apparatus 1 against theheater 13.

The apparatus 1 may further comprise one or more air inlets, in thisexample air inlet 7 e formed through the section 7 b, to allow air toflow into the housing 3 when a user draws on the mouthpiece 11.

In this example, the heater 13 comprises a thin elongate heating platecomprising a pair of opposite surfaces or faces (only one of which 13 ais visible in the Figures). The heating plate may be formed of a heatconducting material, for example, a metal such as alumina. The heater 13is arranged with its longitudinal axis parallel with that of theapparatus 1 with a first of the surfaces 13 a exposed and a second ofthe surfaces resting flush against the support platform 7 a. The exposedsurface 13 a may be curved, for example, convex or concave, and in thisexample, the exposed surface 13 a is convex in shape. The heater 13comprises a resistive heating element, for example circuitry (not shown)formed e.g. printed on the exposed surface 13 a.

The apparatus 1 further has an electronics/power chamber, within themain housing 5, which in this example contains a power source 19 andelectrical control circuitry 21. The electrical control circuitry 21 mayinclude a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configuredand arranged to control the heater 13 as discussed further below.

The power source 19 may be a battery, which may be a rechargeablebattery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples include nickel cadmiumbatteries although any suitable batteries may be used. The battery 19 iselectrically coupled to the heater 13 to supply electrical power whenrequired and under control of the electrical control circuitry 21 toheat the aerosol generating material in the cartridge 100 (as discussed,to volatilize the aerosol generating material without causing theaerosol generating material to combust or undergo pyrolysis). Theapparatus 1 further comprises a charging slot 5 c (see FIG. 3), in thisexample formed through the first end 5 a of the main housing section 5to allow a charger (not shown) to be electrically connected to thebattery 19 if the battery 19 is a rechargeable battery or to connect anexternal device (e.g. a computer) to the control circuitry 21 todownload data from the control circuitry or upload data or software tothe control circuitry 21.

The apparatus 1 may further comprise one or other or both of a manualactuator (not shown in the Figures) for example, a push button, and acontrol sensor (not shown in the Figures), for example an airflowsensor, each operably coupled to the control circuitry 21. A user maymanually operate the heater 13 or the heater 13 can be operatedautomatically in response to the sensor detecting a user drawing on themouthpiece 11.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in particular, the cartridge 100 comprises aprotective cover 102 attached to, for example adhered to, a planar base104. The cover 102 and the planar base 104 together form a first bodythat defines a chamber for containing the aerosol generating material(not shown). The base 104 is substantially parallel to a longitudinalaxis of the first body.

In this example, the planar base 104 comprises a main rectangularsection 104 a and identical first 104 b and second 104 c projectionsthat project from respective opposite first 104 d and second 104 e sidesof the main rectangular section 104 a. The area of the first 104 b andsecond 104 c projections is relatively small compared to that of themain rectangular section 104 a. The first 104 b and second 104 cprojections are opposite each other and are arranged symmetrically aboutthe longitudinal axis of the planar base 104.

The protective cover 102 comprises a top surface 102 a and amulti-faceted side surface 102 b. The footprint of the protective cover102 covers most of the planar base 104. In this example, the protectivecover 102 covers substantially all of the first 104 b and second 104 cprojections and most of the main rectangular section 104 a. First 104 hand second 104 i relatively narrows strips of the main rectangularsection 104 a along third 104 f and fourth 104 g sides of the mainrectangular section 104 a are not covered by the protective cover 102.

The planar base 104 is formed of a sheet of thermally conductivematerial, for example, metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The protective cover 102 is formed of a plastic material, typically athermoformed plastic material such as PVC or an Orientated Polyamide(OPA). In one example, the protective cover is multi-layered comprisingan outer plastic material layer (e.g. an OPA) and an inner foil layer(e.g. aluminum foil).

The protective cover 102 is adhered to the planar base 104 using asuitable adhesive.

In the multi-layered example described above, for example, theprotective cover 102 is bonded to the planar base 104 by way of a layerof bonding lacquer, such as a high heat resistant lacquer that isunderneath the inner foil layer. Advantageously, using a high heatresistant lacquer enables rapid heating at high temperatures. In someembodiments, the bonding lacquer is only provided in regions where theprotective cover 102 contacts the planar base 104 and is applied only onone or other of the protective cover 102 and the planar base 104. Thisminimizes the amount of heat resistant lacquer used and makes it lesslikely that, in use, heating causes the lacquer to volatilize. In oneexample, the adhesive may be applied to the areas in which there is noaerosol generating material.

As perhaps is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid section 9 of theapparatus 1 comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel guide slots 9 b, 9c formed in an inner surface of the lid section 9. One of the guideslots 9 b is formed close to and runs along a first straight edge of thelid section 9 and the other of the guide slots 9 c is formed close toand runs along a second straight edge of the lid section 9 that isopposite the first straight edge.

In order to insert the cartridge 100 into the lid section 9, a useraligns the third side 104 f of the main rectangular section 104 a withthe guide slot 9 c and aligns the fourth side 104 g of the mainrectangular section 104 a with the guide slot 9 b (see FIG. 3) andpushes the cartridge 100 into an inserted position in the open channel8. When the cartridge 100 is in the inserted position (FIG. 4 shows thecartridge partially in the inserted position), the third 104 f andfourth 104 g sides of the cartridge 100 are supported in the guide slots9 c, 9 b.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid section 9 further comprises aninner end face 9 a that comprises a first protrusion 20 that extendsinto the inside of the lid section 9. When the cartridge 100 is insertedinto the lid section 9, the first protrusion 20 which has a sharp orpointed end, pierces a leading face of the protective cover 102.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a second protrusion 23 is positioned on theheater support platform 7 a at a location between the heater 13 and themain housing section 5. The second protrusion 23 extends upwardly fromthe heating support platform 7 a.

When a user moves the lid section 9 from the open position to the closedposition and a cartridge 100 is inserted, the second protrusion 23 whichhas a sharp or pointed end is brought into contact with and pierces thefirst projection 104 b of the planar base 104.

The closed lid section 9 effectively ‘clamps’ the inserted cartridge 100against the first surface 13 a of the heater 13 with at least a majorportion or all of the bottom surface of the planar base 104 in contactwith the first heating surface 13 a. When held in position in this way,the planar base 104, which is flexible, deforms or curves slightly toadopt the convex shape of the heating surface 13 a. This arrangementprovides for a particularly good thermal contact between the firstheating surface 13 a and the planar base 104.

The first protrusion 20 comprises one or more air passageways formedthere through which are in fluid communication with the outlet 11 a ofthe mouthpiece 11. Similarly, the second protrusion 23 comprises one ormore air passageways formed there through which are in fluidcommunication with the one or more air inlets 7 e formed in the housing3. Accordingly, the first protrusion 20 acts as an outlet of thecartridge 100 and the second protrusion 23 acts as an inlet of thecartridge 100.

In use, when a user actuates the actuator (not shown), the controlcircuitry 21 is operated so that electrical current flows through theresistive heating element (not shown) formed on the first heatingsurface 13 a causing the heater 13 to heat up. As mentioned above, thebase 104 is made of a thermally conductive material and is in goodthermal contact with the first heating surface 13 a. There is thereforea very efficient transfer of heat from the heating 13 to the interior ofthe cartridge 100 whereby the aerosol generating material in thecartridge 100 is heated. This causes at least one component of theaerosol generating material to volatilize without combusting the aerosolgenerating material. Advantageously, because the planar base 104 issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first bodydefined by the cover 102 and the planar base 104, the aerosol generatingmaterial in the cartridge 100 can be heated efficiently and uniformlyalong substantially the entire length of the cartridge 100.

When the user draws on the mouthpiece 11, this causes a reduction inpressure in the cartridge 100, which causes airflow to be drawn into thehousing 3 through the one or more inlets 7 e and airflow to be drawninto the cartridge 100 via the air passageway holes in the secondprotrusion 23. Typically, this airflow into the cartridge 100 causes thevolatilized component(s) of the aerosol generating material 43 to becooled, so that it/they condense(s) to form an aerosol.

The user's continued drawing causes the airflow and aerosol to be drawninto the user's mouth via the mouthpiece 11. This can be repeated untilthe volatile component(s) is/are exhausted. In some examples, thevolatilized component(s) of the aerosol generating material cool to formthe aerosol within the cartridge 100 itself and in other examples thevolatilized component(s) of the aerosol generating material cool to formthe aerosol in the mouthpiece 11 after having exited the cartridge 100via the air passageways in the first protrusion 20. In yet furtherexamples, some of the aerosol is formed within the cartridge 100 andsome of the aerosol is formed outside of the cartridge 100 in themouthpiece 11.

When all, or substantially all, of the volatile component(s) of theaerosol generating material in the cartridge 100 has/have been spent,the user opens the lid section 9, removes the cartridge 100 and insertsanother unspent cartridge 100 into the channel and repeats the aboveprocess.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 14, there is shown a second example of anapparatus 300 and a cartridge 400 that is insertable within theapparatus 300. Like the apparatus 1 described above, the apparatus 300is a so-called “tobacco-heating-product” apparatus and is arranged toheat aerosol generating material (not shown) contained within thecartridge 400, when the cartridge 400 is inserted inside the apparatus300 to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generatingmaterial.

The apparatus 300 in this second example is again generally elongate andcomprises a generally tubular housing 303. A shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9in particular, the tubular housing 303 comprises a main housing section305, a heater support section 307 connected to the main housing section305, a lid section 309 connected to the heater support section 307 and amouth piece 311 connected to the lid section 309. The mouthpiece 311comprises an outlet 311 a.

The main housing section 305 comprises first 305 a and second 305 blongitudinal ends. The first end 305 a defines a distal end of the wholeof the apparatus 300 and the second end 305 b is located atapproximately just over half of the way along the length of theapparatus 300.

The heater support section 307 extends from the second 305 blongitudinal end of the main housing section 305 and defines a platformthat supports a heater 313. The lid section 309 is slidably connected tothe heater support section 307 so that it can be slid between a closedposition shown in FIG. 7, in which the heater 313 is enclosed in theapparatus 300 and an open position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in which theheater 313 is exposed and in which a cartridge 400 can be inserted intothe apparatus 300, as will be described in more detail below.

The apparatus 300 may further comprise one or more air inlets 308, whichin this example, are formed through the section 307 and which is/are influid communication with the outlet 311 a of the mouthpiece 311.

The apparatus 300 and its various sections may comprise any of thematerials described above with respect to the first example.

In this example, a heater 313 is in the form of a thin elongate platecomprising a pair of opposite first and second heating surfaces 313 a orfaces (only one of which is visible in the Figures). The heater 313 isarranged with its longitudinal axis parallel with that of the apparatus300 and is supported in the heater support section 307 upright along oneof its long edges so that both of the opposite first and second heatingsurfaces or faces 313 a are exposed in the heater support section 307.Similarly to the heating surface 13 a discussed above, each of the firstand second heating surfaces 313 a may also be curved, for exampleconcave or convex in shape and may have formed thereon, e.g. printed, arespective resistive heating element, for example circuitry (not shown).

Similarly to the apparatus 1 described above, the apparatus 300 furtherhas an electronics/power chamber, within the main housing section 305,which in this example contains a power source 319 and electrical controlcircuitry 321. Again, the electrical control circuitry 321 may include acontroller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured andarranged to control the heater 313 as discussed further below.

The power source 319 may be any of the power sources described above inrespect of the apparatus 1. Again, the power source 319 is electricallycoupled to the heater 313 to supply electrical power when required andunder control of the electrical control circuitry 321 to heat theaerosol generating material in the cartridge 400 (as discussed, tovolatize the aerosol generating material without causing the aerosolgenerating material to combust or undergo pyrolysis). Again, theapparatus 300 further comprises a charging slot 305 c, which in thisexample, is formed through the first end 305 a of the main housingsection 305 to allow a charger (not shown) to be electrically connectedto the power source 319 if the power source 319 is a rechargeablebattery or to connect an external device (e.g. a computer) to thecontrol circuitry 321 to download data from the control circuitry orupload data or software to the control circuitry 321.

The apparatus 300 may further comprise any of the actuators and/orsensors as described above with respect to the apparatus 1 operablycoupled to the control circuitry 321.

As best seen in FIG. 10a to FIG. 10d , in this example, the cartridge400 is a dual-body arrangement comprising a first cartridge body 400 aand a second cartridge body 400 b. Each of the first cartridge body 400a and the second cartridge body 400 b comprises a respective protectivecover 402, 402′ attached to, for example adhered to a respective planarbase 404, 404′. Each cover 402, 402′ and the planar base 404, 404′ it isattached to together define a chamber for containing the aerosolgenerating material (not shown). The planar base 404 is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the first cartridge body 400 a andthe planar base 404′ is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the second cartridge body 400 b.

In this example, each planar base 404, 404′ is substantially rectangularin shape although other shapes are possible. Each protective cover 402,402′ comprises a main elongate central section 402 a, 402 a′ and smallerfirst 402 b, 402 b′ and second 402 c, 402′c end sections at respectiveends of the main elongate central section 402 a, 402 a′. As bestappreciated from FIG. 10a , the second 402 c, 402′c end sections areoffset with respect to each other about the longitudinal axis of thecartridge 400. Each central cover section 402 a, 402 a′ defines anelongate recess 403, 403′ along its upper surface.

As is also best appreciated from FIG. 10a , the planar bases 404, 404′are connected together at opposing ends along a first line of weakening408 and the first 402 b, 402 b′ end sections are also connected togetherat opposing ends along a second line of weakening 410 that is alignedwith the first line of weakening 408. The lines of weakening may be forexample a perforated line, a serrated line or a cut line.

As described above in respect of the cartridge 100, the planar bases404, 404′ are formed of a sheet thermally conductive material, forexample, metal foil such as aluminum foil, and the protective covers402, 402′ may be formed any of the materials described above withrespect to the first example and adhered to the planar bases 404, 404′using a suitable adhesive as also described above with respect to thefirst example.

In order to insert a cartridge 400 into the apparatus 300, a user takesa cartridge 400 in a “prior to use” configuration shown in FIG. 10a andfolds the planar bases 404, 404′ towards one another about the firstweakening line 408. The folding causes the first cartridge body 400 aand the second cartridge body 400 b to separate from one another aboutthe second weakening line 410 exposing the interior of the firstcartridge body 400 a through the aperture 402 e and exposing theinterior of the second cartridge body 400 b through the aperture 402 e′,as best shown in FIG. 10b . The aperture 402 e provides an outlet forthe first cartridge body 400 a and the aperture 402 e′ provides anoutlet for the second cartridge body 400 b.

The user may then arrange the cartridge 400 in the interior of theheater support section 307 with the heater 313 between the planar bases404, 404′ and continue to fold the planar bases 404, 404′ together untilthe heater 313 is sandwiched between them. In this position, at least amajor portion or all of the bottom surface of the planar base 404 isagainst the first heating surface 313 a of the heater 313 and at least amajor portion or all of the bottom surface of the planar base 404′ isagainst the second heating surface of the heater 313.

Each of the first cartridge body 400 a and the second cartridge body 400b comprises a respective member 412, 412′, which in this example is inthe form of a short tube that is open at both of its ends and extendsthrough a planar base 404, 404′ defining a passage through that planarbase 404, 404′ from one side to the other. Each member 412, 412′ islocated outside of a cover 402, 402′ but directly adjacent to a centralsection 402 a, 402 a and a second end section 402, 402′. Each member412, 412′ protrudes away from the underside of the planar base 404, 404′that it extends through.

As is best appreciated from FIGS. 10c and 10d (which for clarity do notillustrate the heater 313), when the planar bases 404, 404′ are foldedso that the heater 313 is sandwiched between them, the member 412′punctures through the planar base 404 of the first cartridge body 400 ain a region beneath the second 402 c end section of the cover 402 of thefirst cartridge body 400 a. Likewise, the member 412 punctures throughthe planar base 404′ of the second cartridge body 400 b in a regionbeneath the second 402 c′ end section of the cover 402′ of the secondcartridge body 400 b′. Accordingly, the ends of the members 412, 412′that puncture through the planar bases 404, 404′ are preferablysharpened or pointed or the like in order to facilitate this puncturing.As will be explained in more detail below, the member 412 acts as aninlet for the second cartridge body 400 b and the member 412′ acts as aninlet for the first cartridge body 400 a.

As is best appreciated from FIGS. 11a and 12, the heater support section307 is generally ‘U’ shaped in cross section and comprises a first pairof parallel ridges 307 a that run along its base and which definebetween them a first longitudinal slot 307 b. At one end, the pair ofparallel ridges 307 b terminate in a raised cross piece 307 c thatstraddles the parallel ridges 307 a and which defines a second slot 307d that runs into the first longitudinal slot 307 a such that the first307 a and second 307 d slots meet at an angle of about 90 degrees. Theheater 313 is supported in the second slot 307 d and sits with an edgerunning parallel to and just above the first longitudinal slot 307 b.When a cartridge 400 is inserted in the apparatus 300, the cover endsections 402 b, 402 b′ are supported on the cross piece 307 c.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the cartridge 400 is positioned in theapparatus 300, respective first opposing sections (labeled “A”) of theplanar bases 404, 404′ are received in the first longitudinal slot 307 band each of the main elongate central cover sections 402 a, 402 a′ aresupported on a respective one of the parallel ridges 307 a.

Each of the parallel longitudinal edges 307 e of the heater supportsection 307 defines a respective guide rail which extends slightlyinwardly of the heater support section 307 and is used to slidablysupport the lid section 309.

As is best appreciated from FIGS. 11b and 12, the lid section 309 isalso substantially “U” shaped in cross section. The lid section 309defines a pair of parallel longitudinal slots 309 a arranged atcorresponding positions on opposite sides of the exterior surface of thelid section 309. As is shown in FIG. 12, the lid section 309 is slidablymounted on the heater support section 307 by means of each of the guiderails 307 e of the heater support section 307 being received in arespective one of the parallel longitudinal slots 309 a of the lidsection 309. This enables the lid section 309 to be slid between theopen position shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 13 in which a cartridge 400 can beinserted into or removed from the apparatus 300 and the closed positionshown in FIG. 7 in which, if inserted, a cartridge 400 is enclosed inthe apparatus 400.

The lid section 309, on its internal surface, defines a secondlongitudinal slot 309 b which is parallel to and opposite the firstlongitudinal slot 307 b in the heater support section 307. When the lidsection 309 is in the closed position, the second longitudinal slot 309b receives respective second opposing sections (labeled “B”) of theplanar bases 404, 404′, as is illustrated in FIG. 12. The lid sectionfurther defines, on its internal surface, a second pair 309 c ofparallel and opposing ridges. When the lid section 309 is in the closedposition and a cartridge 400 is inserted in the apparatus 300, each ofthe second pair of ridges 309 c is received in a respective recess 403,403′ defined in the main elongate central section 402 a, 402 a′ of aprotective cover 402, 402′ of a respective one of the first 402 a, 402 band second cartridge bodies.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the mouthpiece 311 comprise a gasket 311 bthat has a generally circular cross section, which is located at the endof the mouthpiece 311 which connects to the lid section 309. The gasket311 b, when the lid section 309 is moved into the closed position,engages the open end sections 402 b, 402 b′ of the protective covers402, 402′. The gasket 311 b is in fluid communication with the outlet311 a of the mouthpiece 311.

In use, when a user actuates the actuator (not shown), the controlcircuitry 321 is operated so that electrical current flows through theresistive heating elements (not shown) formed on the first 313 a andsecond heating surfaces to cause the heater 313 to heat up so that thefirst heater surface 313 a heats the aerosol generating material in thefirst cartridge body 400 a and the second heater surface heats theaerosol generating material in the second cartridge body 400 b. Again,as the planar bases 404, 404′ are formed of a thermally conductivematerial and are in good thermal contact with the heater 313, heat isvery efficiently transferred to the aerosol generating material in eachcartridge body 400 a, 400 b. This causes at least one component of theaerosol generating material in each cartridge body 400 a, 400 b tovolatilize without combusting the aerosol generating material.

When the user draws on the mouthpiece 311, this causes a reduction inpressure in each cartridge body 400 a, 400 b, which causes air to bedrawn into each cartridge body 400 a, 400 b via the air inlet 308 of thesection 307 and the respective air inlets defined by the members 412′and 412. Typically, this airflow causes the volatilized component(s) ofthe aerosol generating material to be cooled, so that it/they condenseto form an aerosol either inside each cartridge body 400 a, 400 b,inside the mouthpiece 311 or inside both. The user's continued drawingcauses the airflow and aerosol to be drawn into the user's mouth via themouthpiece 311. This can be repeated until the volatile component(s)is/are exhausted. The airflow and volatilized component(s) of theaerosol generating material and/or aerosol exit the cartridge bodies 400a, 400 b through the apertures 402 e, 402 e′.

When all, or substantially all, of the volatile component(s) of theaerosol generating material in the cartridge 400 has/have been spent,the user opens the lid section 309, removes the cartridge 400 andinserts another unspent cartridge 400 into the channel and repeats theabove process.

In some examples, the resistive heating elements (not shown) formed onthe first 313 a and second heating surfaces can be controlledindependently of each other so that the aerosol generating material ineach cartridge body 400 a, 400 b can be heated independently of eachother in different time intervals. The aerosol generating material maybe different in each cartridge body 400 a, 400 b. For example, one ofthe cartridge bodies 400 a, 400 b may comprise a flavored material (e.g.menthol) and the user may use the actuator (not shown) in such a waythat the control circuitry 321 only activates the resistive heatingelement (not shown) on the one of the first and second heating surfacescontacting the planar base 404, 404′ of the particular cartridge body400 a, 400 b containing the flavored material at times when the userwould like to taste the flavor. In examples where the resistive heatingelements (not shown) formed on the first 313 a and second heatingsurfaces can be controlled independently of each other, the heater 313may comprises a heat insulating layer (not shown) between, e.g. midwaybetween, the first 313 a and second heating surfaces to inhibit heatgenerated by an activated one of the resistive heating elements (notshown) being transferred through the body of the heater 313 to theheating surface on which the other non-activated one of the resistiveheating elements is provided.

It will be appreciated that a cartridge 400 may be provided in a pack(not shown) of such cartridges with any side of any given planar basebeing connected to any side of any other given planar base by a line ofweakening to enable a cartridge to be separated (i.e. broken away from)by a user from the pack of cartridges.

In a variation of the cartridge 400 (not illustrated), the firstcartridge body 400 a and the second cartridge body 400 b are essentiallymirror images of each other and so the second 402 c, 402′c end sectionsare not offset with respect to each other about the longitudinal axis ofthe cartridge 400 but instead the second 402 c, 402′c end sections arealigned and the respective members 412, 412′ are aligned (e.g. thepositions of the first end section 402 c and the member 412 are reversedso that they mirror the positions of the of the first end section 402′cand the member 412′, respectively).

In this example, a cartridge 400 in a pack of such cartridges may bebroken away from the pack by pivoting long sides of the bases 404, 404′about lines of weakening connecting those long sides of the bases 404,404′ to corresponding long sides of the bases of another such cartridgein the pack. In this way, the member 412 will puncture through the firstplanar base of the first cartridge body of the other such cartridgeremaining on the pack in a region beneath the second end section of thecover of the first cartridge body of that other such cartridge andlikewise the corresponding member of the first cartridge body of thatother such cartridge will puncture through the first planar base 404 ofthe first cartridge body 400 a in a region beneath the second endsection 402 c of the cover 402. Similarly, the member 412′ will puncturethrough the second planar base of the second cartridge body of the othersuch cartridge remaining on the pack in a region beneath the second endsection of the cover of the second cartridge body of that cartridge andlikewise the corresponding member of the second cartridge body of theother such cartridge will puncture through the second planar base 404′of the second cartridge body 400 a′ in a region beneath the second endsection 402 c′ of the cover 402′. Once free of the pack, a user may thenfold the planar bases 404, 404′ towards one another about the firstweakening line 408 to cause the first cartridge body 400 a and thesecond cartridge body 400 b to separate from one another about thesecond weakening line 410 similarly as discussed above with respect toFIGS. 10a and 10 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 to 19 b, there is shown a third example of anapparatus 500 and a cartridge 600 that is insertable within theapparatus 500. The apparatus 500 is similar to the apparatuses 1 and 300described above and is another “tobacco-heating-product” apparatusarranged to heat aerosol generating material (not shown) containedwithin the cartridge 600 when the cartridge 600 is inserted inside theapparatus 500 to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolgenerating material.

The apparatus 500 in this third example is again generally elongate andcomprises a generally tubular housing 503. As shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and17 in particular, the tubular housing 503 comprises a main housingsection 505, a heater support section 507 that supports a heater 513, alid section 509 and a mouth piece 511.

The main housing section 505 is very similar to the main housingsections of the two examples described above, and comprises a firstlongitudinal end 505 a (which again defines a distal end of the whole ofthe apparatus 500) and a second longitudinal end 505 b located atapproximately just over half of the way along the length of theapparatus 500.

The heater support section 507 extends from the second 505 blongitudinal end of the main housing section 505 and defines a platformthat supports a heater 513. The heater support section 507 may, as isthe case in this example, comprise a plurality 507 b, 507 c ofinterconnected sections, one of which 507 b is connected to the mainhousing section 505, or the heater support section 507 may be a singlepiece section.

The apparatus 500 further comprises one or more air inlets 508, which inthis example, are formed through the through the section 507 c and whichare in fluid communication with an outlet 511 a of the mouthpiece 511.

The heater support section 507 and the lid section 509 are connected bya hinge arrangement that is arranged to enable the lid section 509 topivot with respect to the heater support section 507, between a closedposition shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and an open position shown in FIG. 17.The lid section 509 may, as is the case in this example, comprise aplurality 509 d, 509 e of interconnected sections, one of which 509 e isconnected to the mouthpiece 511, or the lid section 509 may be a singlepiece section.

In this example, a heater 513, is similar to the heater in the secondexample, in that it is in the form of a thin elongate plate comprising apair of opposite first and second heating surfaces 513 a or faces (onlyone of which is visible) and is arranged with its longitudinal axisparallel with that of the apparatus 500 and is supported in the heatersupport section 507 upright along one of its long edges so that both ofthe opposite surfaces or faces 513 a are exposed in the heater supportsection 507. Again, each of the first and second heating surfaces 513 amay also be curved, for example concave or convex in shape and may haveformed thereon, e.g. printed, a respective resistive heating element,for example circuitry (not shown).

As with the two examples described above, an electronics/power chamber,is provided within the main housing 505 containing a power source 519(which may be any of the power sources described above) and electricalcontrol circuitry 521 (which may comprise any of the control circuitrycomponents described above) configured and arranged to control theheater 513. Yet again, the apparatus 500 further comprises a chargingslot 505 b, which in this example, is formed through the first end 505 aof the main housing section 505 to allow a charger (not shown) to beelectrically connected to the power source 519 if the power source 519is a rechargeable battery or to connect an external device (e.g. acomputer) to the control circuitry 521 to download data from the controlcircuitry or upload data or software to the control circuitry 521.

The apparatus 500 may further comprise any of the actuators and/orsensors as described above with respect to the apparatus operablycoupled to the control circuitry 515.

As is best seen in FIG. 18a to FIG. 18c , in this third example,similarly to the second example described above, the cartridge 600 is adual-body arrangement comprising a first cartridge body 600 a and asecond cartridge body 600 b. Each of the first cartridge body 600 a andthe second cartridge body 600 b comprises a respective protective cover602, 602′ attached to, for example adhered to, to a respective planarbase 604, 604′. Each cover 602, 602′ and the planar base 604, 604′ towhich it is attached together define a chamber for containing theaerosol generating material (not shown). The planar base 604 issubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first cartridgebody 600 a and the planar base 604′ is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the second cartridge body 600 b.

Each planar base 604, 604′ is substantially rectangular in shape. Eachprotective cover 602, 602′ comprises a main elongate central section 602a, 602 a and smaller first 602 b and second 602 c end sections atrespective ends of the main elongate central section 602 a, 602 a′. Aswith the cartridge 200 of the first example and the cartridge 400 of thesecond example, the planar bases 604, 604′ are formed of a sheet ofthermally conductive material, for example, metal foil such as aluminumfoil, and the protective covers 602, 602′ may be formed any of thematerials described above with respect to the first and second examplesand adhered to the planar bases 604, 604′ using a suitable adhesive asalso described above with respect to the first and second examples.

In this third example, and differently to the second example describedabove, in a pre-use configuration, rather than being joined in an“end-to-end” relationship, the planar bases 604, 604′ are joined in a“side-to-side” relationship by being connected together at sidesparallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 600 along a line ofweakening 608.

In order to insert a cartridge 600 into the apparatus 500, a user takesa cartridge 600 in the “prior to use” configuration shown in FIG. 18aand folds the planar bases 604, 604′ towards one another about theweakening line 608 until the planar bases 604, 604′ are orientated in aposition similar to that shown in FIG. 18 b.

The user may then arrange the cartridge 600 in the interior of theheater support section 607 with the heater 513 between the planar bases604, 604′ and continue to fold the planar bases 604, 604′ together untilthe heater 513 is sandwiched between them. In this position, at least amajor portion or all of the bottom surface of the planar base 604 isagainst the first surface 513 a of the heater 513 and at least a majorportion or all of the bottom surface of the planar base 604′ is againstthe second surface of the heater 513.

Each of the first cartridge body 600 a and the second cartridge body 600b comprises a respective member 612, 612′, which in this example is inthe form of a short tube that is open at both of its end and extendsthrough a planar base 604, 604′ defining a passage through that planarbase 604, 604′ from one side to the other. Each member 612, 612′ islocated outside of a cover 602, 602′ but directly adjacent to a centralsection 602 a, 602 a′ and a second end section 602, 602′. Each member612, 612′ protrudes away from the underside of the planar base 604, 604′that it extends through.

As is best appreciated from FIGS. 18b and 18c (which for clarity do notillustrate the heater 513), when the planar bases 604, 604′ are foldedso that the heater 613 is sandwiched between them, the member 612′punctures through the planar base 604 of the first cartridge body 600 ain a region beneath the second 602 c end section of the cover 602 of thefirst cartridge body 600 a. Likewise, the member 612 punctures throughthe planar base 604′ of the second cartridge body 600 b in a regionbeneath the second 602 c′ end section of the cover 602′ of the secondcartridge body 600 b′. Accordingly, the ends of the members 612, 612′that puncture through the planar bases 604, 604′ are preferablysharpened or pointed or the like in order to facilitate this puncturing.As will be explained in more detail below, the member 612 acts as aninlet for the second cartridge body 600 b and the member 612′ acts as aninlet for the first cartridge body 600 a. The first cover end sections602 b, 602 b′ have respective open ends 602 e, 602 e′ that act asrespective outlets for the first cartridge body 600 a and the secondcartridge body 600 b. These open ends 602 e, 602 e′ may be provided witha protective layer (not shown), to keep the material inside fresh, andwhich is peeled away by a user prior to inserting the cartridge 600 inthe apparatus 500.

In addition, or alternatively, the first cover end sections 602 b, 602b′ may be provided with lines of weakening (as described above withrespect to the cartridge 400) and be connected to corresponding firstcover end sections (not shown) of corresponding first and secondcartridge bodies (not shown) of a corresponding dual body cartridge (notshown) in a pack of such dual body cartridges. The dual body cartridge600 may be broken free, by a user, from such pack, prior to be beinginserted into the apparatus 500. It will be appreciated that in such apack, any side of any given planar base may be connected to any side ofany other given planar base by a line of weakening to enable a cartridgeto be separated by a user from the pack.

As is best appreciated from FIG. 19a , the heater support section 507 isgenerally “U” shaped in cross section and comprises a pair of opposinglobes 507 a extending from opposite sides of one end 507 b of the heatersupport section 507 parallel to its longitudinal axis. Each of the pairof lobes 507 a defines a respective one of a pair of opposing recesses507 c (only one is visible in FIG. 19a ). In this example, the recesses507 c have a generally circular cross section. The one end 507 b alsodefines a first half 507 d of a gasket for receiving the open ends 602e, 602 e′ of the cartridge 600.

As is best appreciated from FIG. 19b , the lid section 509 is alsosubstantially “U” shaped in cross section. The lid section 509 and themouthpiece 511 are both mounted on a joint 512 that enables the lidsection 509 and mouthpiece 511 to be pivoted with respect to the heatersupport section 507 between the open and closed positions.

In this example, the joint 512 comprises a part spherical body 512 athat has a pair of circular end faces 512 b (only one of which isvisible in FIG. 19b ). Each end face 512 b has a respective lug 512 c,which in this example is cylindrical in shape, extending therefrom. Eachlug 512 c is received in a respective one of the recesses 507 c so thatthe joint 512 is supported between the opposing lobes 507 a of theheater support section 507 and can rotate about an axis that istransverse to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 500 to enable thelid section 509 and mouthpiece 511 to be pivoted between the open andclosed positions.

One end 509 b of the lid section defines a second half 509 d of thegasket for receiving the open ends 602 e, 602 e′ the cartridge 600. Eachof the halves 507 d, 509 d of the gasket is semi-circular incross-section such that the gasket is circular in cross section when thetwo halves 507 d, 509 d are brought together (i.e. when that apparatus600 is in the closed configuration). In the closed configuration, thegasket is aligned with an aperture 512 d that is formed all of the waythrough the joint 512. Accordingly, the gasket is in fluid communicationwith the outlet 611 a of the mouthpiece 611.

As with the second example described above, in use, when a user actuatesthe actuator (not shown), the control circuitry 521 is operated so thatelectrical current flows through the resistive heating elements (notshown) formed on the first and second heating surfaces 513 a to causethe heater 513 to heat up so that the first heater surface 513 a heatsthe aerosol generating material in the first cartridge body 600 a andthe second heater surface heats the aerosol generating material in thesecond cartridge body 600 b. Again, as the planar bases 604, 604′ areformed of a thermally conductive material and are in good thermalcontact with the heater 513, heat is very efficiently transferred to theaerosol generating material in each cartridge body 600 a, 600 b. Thiscauses at least one component of the aerosol generating material in eachcartridge body 600 a, 600 b to volatilize without combusting the aerosolgenerating material.

When the user draws on the mouthpiece 611, this causes a reduction inpressure in each cartridge body 600 a, 600 b, which causes air to bedrawn into each cartridge body 600 a, 600 b via the air inlet 508 of thesection 507 b and the respective air inlets defined by the members 612′and 612. Typically, this air flow causes the volatilized component(s) ofthe aerosol generating material to be cooled, so that it/they condenseto form an aerosol either inside each cartridge body 600 a, 600 b,inside the mouthpiece 511 or inside both. The user's continued drawingcauses the airflow and aerosol to be drawn into the user's mouth via themouthpiece 511. This can be repeated until the volatile component(s)is/are exhausted.

When all, or substantially all, of the volatile component(s) of theaerosol generating material in the cartridge 600 has/have been spent,the user opens the lid section 509, removes the cartridge 600 andinserts another unspent cartridge 600 into the channel and repeats theabove process.

As described above with respect to FIGS. 7 to 14, in some examples theresistive heating elements (not shown) formed on the first and secondheating surfaces 513 a may be controlled independently of each other sothat the aerosol generating material in each cartridge body 600 a, 600 bcan be heated independently of each other in different time intervals.Again, the aerosol generating material may be different in eachcartridge body 600 a, 600 b, for example, one cartridge may contain aflavored material. Again, the heater 513 may comprises a heat insulatinglayer (not shown) to inhibit heat being transferred from one side of theheating 513 to the other.

In some examples, the heat conducting material of any of the aboveexamples is a non-porous material, such as aluminum. Providing anon-porous material as the heat-conducting material means that theheater and the housing holding the heater stays clean, as upon heating,the aerosol produced does not pass to the heater and create a build-upof material.

In some examples, the planar base and/or the protective cover of any ofthe examples above is provided with one or more score lines and/orembossments, for example, at the position in which the protrusions areconfigured to pierce the planar base and/or protective cover. The scorelines and/or embossments act to reduce the strength of the planar baseand/or the protective cover the piercing location such that less forceis required to pierce them.

In some examples, any of the protrusions discussed in the examples abovemay include a gasket to provide a seal to the pierced area.

In at least some of examples described above, the aerosol generatingmaterial may be in the form of an aerosol generating material, forexample a gel, that is a layer on, for example adhered to, the innersurface of the or each planar base of a cartridge. Furthermore, at leasta portion of the inner surface of each planar base on which the aerosolgenerating material is received may be roughened. Surprisingly, it hasbeen observed that having a rough surface on which the aerosolgenerating material is on may help prevent the aerosol generatingmaterial separating (e.g. de-laminating) from that surface duringheating which would reduce the effectiveness of the heating process.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show an example of a first inner surface 706 of thefirst sheet of heat conducting material 702 of a first base, in whichthe first inner surface is rough to provide an uneven or irregularsurface.

The aerosol forming material (not shown) will be located on the firstinner surface 706 of the first sheet of heat conducting material 702. Inthe example shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the first inner surface 706 isrough due to the fact that there are a plurality of protuberances 708.In one example, the first surface 206 is made rough by making a numberof holes in the support layer 202. The holes may be made by penetratingthe first surface 206 with a pin.

In the example shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the protuberances take theform of cylinders, however, any shape that projects from the first innersurface of the heat conducting material may be used, such as cubes,pyramids and irregular shapes. It is not necessary for the protuberances708 to be formed of the same shape. The protuberance 708 in FIGS. 20Aand 20B are shown as covering most of the first surface 706 of the heatconducting material 702, but in other examples, the protuberances 708only cover part of the first surface 706 of the heat conducting material702.

In one example the protuberances 708 have a height of between 0.1 mm and0.2 mm and a width of between 0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, and more preferablyhave a height of 0.15 mm and a width of 0.3 mm.

In one example, the first surface 706 of the heat conducting material isembossed to create the surface roughness. The protuberances 708 may alsobe formed by embossing.

Embossing the first inner surface 706 of the heat conducting material isa simple and repeatable way of creating a rough surface. The embossmentmay take the form of one or more logos. The first inner surface 706 maybe made rough by including one or more ridges, folds, indents and raisedsections.

The first inner surface 706 may be embossed using various patterns, suchas one or more of spirals, lines; and/or squares.

The rough first inner surface 706 of the heat conducting material 702,as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, acts to increase the contact surface areabetween the aerosol generating material 704 and the heat conductingmaterial 702. An example of article 700 formed from the heat conductingmaterial 702 with a rough first inner surface 706 and aerosol generatingmaterial 704 is shown in FIG. 20C. The increased surface area willincrease the adhesion between the aerosol forming material 704 and theheat conducting material 702, and hence reduce the likelihood of theaerosol generating material 704 separating from the first inner surface706 of the heat conducting material 702.

In the further example shown in FIG. 21, the first inner surface 806 ofthe heat conducting material 802 is made rough by having one or morescore lines 810 formed in the first inner surface 806. FIG. 21 shows theheat conducting material 802 with six score lines 810 applied to thefirst inner surface 806, however, in some examples there are fewer thansix score lines and in other examples there are more than six scorelines 810 applied to the first inner surface 806. As with theperturbations 708 shown in FIG. 20B, score lines 810 perform thefunction of adding a surface roughness to the first surface of the heatconducting material 806, which increases the adhesion between theaerosol generating material 804 and the layer 802. In one example, thesurface roughness of the first inner surface 806 of the heat conductingmaterial is provided by the score lines 810. In other examples, thesurface roughness of the first inner surface 806 of the heat conductingmaterial is provided by a combination of the perturbations 708 and thescore lines 810.

As shown in FIG. 22, the score lines 810 may also be applied to theaerosol generating material 804. Applying score lines 810 to the aerosolgenerating material 804 results in the aerosol generating material 804being pooled into one or more separate sections delineated by the scorelines 810. Separating the aerosol generating material 804 into separatesections provides more flow paths for any volatilized components and theouter surface of the aerosol generating material 804.

In the example of the aerosol generating material comprising an aerosolgenerating gel, the gel 704 and 804 may be formed from different tobaccoextracts, such as Burley, Virginia and Oriental. Aerosol generating gels704, 804 formed from different tobacco extracts may have differentproperties, for example, gels formed from Burley tobacco is morebrittle, whereas gels formed from Virginia and Oriental is more pliable.

Embodiments of the invention are configured to comply with applicablelaws and/or regulations, such as, by way of non-limiting example,regulations relating to flavors, additives, emissions, constituents,and/or the like. For example, the invention may be configured such thata device implementing the invention is compliant with applicableregulations before and after adjustment by a user. Such implementationsmay be configured to be compliant with applicable regulations in alluser-selectable positions. In some embodiments, the configuration issuch that a device implementing the invention meets or exceeds requiredregulatory test(s) in all user-selectable positions, such as, by way ofnon-limiting example, the testing threshold(s)/ceiling(s) for emissionsand/or smoke constituents.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist inunderstanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments areprovided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are notexhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages,embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or otheraspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on thescope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations onequivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilizedand modifications may be made without departing from the scope of theclaimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitablycomprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriatecombinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts,steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. Inaddition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presentlyclaimed, but which may be claimed in future.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating material, the cartridge comprising: a first body defining a first chamber, wherein the first body comprises a first base comprising a sheet of heat conductive material and having a first outer surface; and aerosol generating material located within the first chamber; wherein at least a major portion of the first outer surface of the first base is adapted to contact a first heating surface of a heater of the apparatus for heating the aerosol generating material within the first chamber, and wherein the first base is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first body; wherein the cartridge further comprises: a second body defining a second chamber, wherein the second body comprises a second base comprising a sheet of heat conductive material having a second outer surface; and aerosol generating material located within the second chamber; wherein at least a major portion of the second outer surface of the second base is adapted to contact a second heating surface of the heater of the apparatus, and wherein the second base is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second body; and wherein the first base and the second base are connected together to enable relative pivotal movement of the first base and the second base so that a user can bring the first outer surface into contact with the first heating surface of the heater and the second outer surface into contact with the second heating surface of the heater.
 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sheet of heat conductive material is flexible.
 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a first cover attached to the first base, wherein the first cover and the first base define the first chamber.
 4. The cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the first cover comprises a first portion and a second portion at one end of the first portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion.
 5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the first cover comprises a third portion at another end of the first portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the third portion.
 6. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first base and the second base are connected along a first line of weakening to enable the relative pivotal movement.
 7. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the first line of weakening is one of a perforated line, a serrated line or a cut line.
 8. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first base and the second base are, in a pre-use configuration, connected at respective sides of the first base and the second base that are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.
 9. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the second body comprises a second cover attached to the second base, wherein the second cover and the second base define the second chamber, and wherein the first cover and the second cover are, in the pre-use configuration, connected along a second line of weakening which ruptures when the first base and the second base undergo relative pivotable movement, whereby the first cover and the second cover are separated to provide at least one of a volatilized material and an aerosol outlet for the first cover and at least one of a volatilized material and an aerosol outlet for the second cover.
 10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first base comprises a first piercer and the second base comprises a second piercer.
 11. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the first piercer is for piercing the second base to provide an air inlet for the second chamber and the second piercer is for piercing the first base to provide an air inlet for the first chamber.
 12. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the first cover comprises a first portion and a second portion at one end of the first portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion, wherein the second piercer is positioned on the second base so as to pierce the first base at a point covered by the second portion of the first cover.
 13. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the second cover comprises a first portion and a second portion at one end of the first portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion, wherein the first piercer is positioned on the first base so as to pierce the second base at a point covered by the second portion of the second cover.
 14. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first base and the second base are, in a pre-use configuration, connected at respective sides of the first base and the second base that that are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.
 15. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the second body comprises a second cover attached to the second base, wherein the second cover and the second base define the second chamber.
 16. The cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the first base comprises a first piercer and the second base comprises a second piercer.
 17. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first piercer is for piercing the second base to provide an air inlet for the second chamber and the second piercer is for piercing the first base to provide an air inlet for the first chamber.
 18. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first cover comprises a first portion and a second portion at one end of the first portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion, wherein the second piercer is positioned on the second base so as to pierce the first base at a point covered by the second portion of the first cover.
 19. The cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the second cover comprises a first portion and a second portion at one end of the first portion, wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion, wherein the first piercer is positioned on the first base so as to pierce the second base at a point covered by the second portion of the second cover.
 20. The cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising a heat resistant adhesive adhering the second cover to the second base, wherein the heat resistant adhesive is only provided in regions where the second cover is adhered to the second base.
 21. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sheet of heat conductive material includes a first inner surface and at least a portion of the first inner surface is rough, wherein the aerosol generating material is located on the portion of the first inner surface that is rough.
 22. The cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the portion of the first inner surface that is rough comprises a plurality of protuberances.
 23. The cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the portion of the first inner surface is embossed.
 24. The cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the portion of the first inner surface includes one or more score lines or holes.
 25. The cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the aerosol generating material is separated into one or more sections based on the one or more score lines. 